About 1,000 protesters from Occupy movements across the country kicked off their daylong protest against money in politics outside the Capitol Tuesday morning, waving signs and chanting slogans.
The protest was largely peaceful, but at least two Occupiers had been detained by Capitol Police. One was charged with assault on a police officer, Capitol Police said. Details were not immediately available on the nature of the assault, and police didn't immediately release the man's name. Protesters said he was a 60-year-old veteran from Tennessee.
Another protester charged the steps of the Capitol and was taken away by police officers. Police could not confirm a second arrest.
The protest, called Occupy Congress, has scheduled several events throughout the day, and protesters have been attempting to meet with congressional representatives for most of the day.
Some have been successful, while others spoke only to staffers about issues like the provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that allows the indefinite detention of suspected terrorists and the anti-Internet-piracy bill known as the Stop Online Piracy Act, which Occupiers contend will limit freedom of speech.
Get updates below from Examiner reporter Aubrey Whelan:
